DEMOPOLIS, Alabama -- The battle to replace Greg Robinson is nowhere close to ending at Auburn.

Shon Coleman emerged as the leader in the spring, it appeared, as teammates compared the third-year sophomore's strength to the NFL-bound Robinson, but the coaches making the decisions are pumping the brakes as players prepare for summer workouts.

Patrick Miller is very much in the mix at left tackle, a new position for the junior after starting 14 games at right tackle in his first two years on the Plains.

"I think it’s still a battle," Auburn offensive line coach J.B. Grimes said Tuesday before a speaking engagement in Demopolis. "I think it’s one of those that going into camp we’ve got a great situation there. A lot of people across the country would love to have that situation, where’s there’s good competition, and I feel good about that."

Miller moved to the left side in the spring to compete against Coleman, who has yet to start a game in his college career. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia shortly after signing with Auburn in 2010 and sat out three football seasons before seeing his first action with the Tigers early last season.

Coleman was cleared for practice in 2012 and gradually re-gained weight after beating cancer.

"I feel like Pat and Shon really competed well," offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee said last week. "I feel like that there’s going to be a lot said about Greg leaving but we don’t think there’s going to be a huge drop there."

OL coach J.B. Grimes breaks down Auburn's left tackle battleAuburn offensive line coach J.B. Grimes says the battle to replace Greg Robinson at left tackle is not close to ending, even with sophomore Shon Coleman drawing loads of praise from teammates and coaches as former right tackle Patrick Miller continued to compete at the position. Grimes talks more about the battle on the offensive line during a stop on the booster club circuit in Demopolis, Ala.

Robinson is projected to go early in the NFL Draft and as high as No. 2 overall to the St. Louis Rams when the first round begins Thursday night at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Coleman's wingspan and strength stands out with teammates, and it's why he is drawing comparisons to the lengthy and powerful Robinson, whose play last season was unmatched on the team.

"The biggest thing with Shon is just to continue to develop in the weight room," Grimes said. "Greg is an uncommonly strong guy, but athletically, Shon Coleman is a long, athletic guy. As he continues to get stronger, he could be really good."